Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-03

Some Surprising Developments Ne 20
the New Labor Party.

Some Surprising Developments as 20
the New Labor Party.
IT HAS BEEN QUIETLY AND THOROUGHLY ORGANIZING
IN EVERY ASSEMBLY plsrRlcr-Trs NEW AND At
TRACTIvE METHODS.
From the n Y World.
While the speeches OF Dr. NcGlynn and Henry
George have attracted a great deal OF attention
from the general public since the surprising exhi-
bition OF strength shown by the new political
party at the last election in this city, the fact that
the party OF which these two men are the leading
spokesmen is organized thoroughly In every as
semoiy, and perhaps In every election district and
that meetings TO the number OF some 10 or more
are held every month, will surprise most people.
In 23 OF the ~ districts meetings are held rcgu-
larry at least once month"; and In almost half the
districts permanent headquarters have been
cured, many OF them open every evening. The
business meetings do not differ widely from those
OF any other organization. When business meet
Ing IS not pfotracted a speech on the principles
ana PURPOSES OF the party is frequently made.
Again, the business meetings as the campaign APP
proaches concern themselves largely with means
Ior the distribution OF tracts. In the new politics
the tract is as important factor as &c once was In
the work OF the churches.
HOW THE EXPENSES ARE NET
popularity OF the district organizations is
their lack OF means. The rich and ambitious
hacker OF the oldime political organization is un-
KNOWN and the hat is therefore frequently passed
around among the members 10 raise funds for rent
and other expenses A number OF districts have
raised a few hundred dollars each by means OF lee
lures or entertainments. Another source u reve-
nue. Is dues or 10 cents month from each men,
Der, but this charge does not seem TO be enforced
with vigor and the receipts from dues In many
districts are uncertain and meager There is no
general fund contributed by rich men To draw on,
and each district seems to be expected to provide
means Tor It's own work. Under the circumstances
the maintenance OF a permanent organization in
every District and of really hasffi-
qarters In many OF them is a remarkable evidence
OF the zeal OF the members OF the new party. The
therefore enter the next campaign with CON-
plete organization, such as they did not have at
an m tne last eampaign accounts ior the apparent
party declare that they viii carry the city at the
next election.
THE FAMILY IN POLITICS."
The most remarkable feature OF the new move
ment, however, is what may be called it's social
side. II a member OF any district association in
the democratic or republican party were to go to q
regular meeting OF his organization accompanied
by his wife and children his appearance would be
the occasion for unrestrainet amazemeht. Yet
this is precisely what the members OF the new
party do, and they seem TO regard the custom as
natural and proper as though IL were sanctioned
10y TRADITION and long usage. In some districts
women even participate In business meetings and
take part In debate. This does not, however APP
pear TO be the general custom. But every district
association holds what il calls its entertain
ment" as frequently as 1t holds its business meet
ingS. The program varies in different districts
but the attendance and participation OF women Is
universal feature. The members OF the new
party take their wives sisters and sweethearts
and even their children, to their political gather
lngS and oratory, music and recitation take the
place often held by beer and tobacco as the at
fractions at ordinary party meetings Drinking
and smoking, by tacit consent, is practically for
hidden at the labor meetings
The social life and ADJUSTMENTS OF these people,
Indeed, appear to be indossouby linked to their
political movement and some OF the districts have
"a hlS hall mir. hat ..il. H.
friendly rivalry during the ball season. Perhaps
the most singular fact about this new feature in
politics is that il seems TO have been due to no
special plan or suggestion, but has naturally
grown up and becoins a fixed feature OF the move
nent. IL is perhaps due to the fact that the men
In the new party are profoundly impressed with
election or this or that man TO Office, but to the
improvement OF the condition OF themselves and
their families What Its ELECT on the prospects
OF the party will be can only be conjectured, but
that its immediate result is to purify ana elevate
political party is manifest to the most indiffer
ent observer IL also has the effect OF attracting out
siders TO hear the doctrines OF the new party ex-
pounded, for speech on the principles and
objects OF the party Is an invariable feature at
these entertainments. piano is almost as neces-
Sary as secwtary's table TO the proper
furnishing OF permanent district head
quarters for the united labor party, and this in
Strument is the center OF attraction on sentertan-
ment' evenings At one such entertainment re-
Gently attended by the writer there a con-
cert above the average OF that ordinarily given by
amateurs at church Or Scnday-school entert ain
ments. The people in attendance Included
lawyers, laborers, physicians, mechanics and
storekeepers, with their families, and ali appeared
to be equally interested and enthusiastic In most
districts, however, men actively engaged in manual
labor peponderate.
TALKING OF ECONOMIC MATTERS
In one district seni-weelly debates on economic
subjects are held, and though Georges progress
and Poverty" and ''ProtectiOn OF Free Trade" are
the accepted authorities, Adam Smith, Herbert
Spencer and John stuart Mil are names freely
used In discussion by men evidently acquainted
with their works. AT these debates ladies consti-
tute an important and interested portion OF the
audience. In short, the united labor party has in
New York taken not merely women, but the family
into politics In way that probably has no par
alei, unless one be found In the granger movement
In the West. The same thing Is seen In the Anti
Poverty Society, which Is, OF course an outgruwth
or the same movement. That organization aims
TO present the moral and religious side an effort
That seeks 10 abolish poverty, and nearly half OF
Its members are women. It's business meetings
the time spoken OF as 1.-THE choir" This organiza-
ton numbers a good many well to-do people among
its members, and even few rich men and women
while It's Sunday evening audiences In the Acad-
envy OF Music differ little In manner dress or
appearance from an ordinary church gathering
They differ widely from ordinary congregations
In Two respects, however; first, I'm the intense
enthusiasm displayed in their wild applause and
second in the remarkable fact that the audiences
are almost equally composed OF Catholics and
ProteStaats and yet receive priest and minister
with equal enthusiasm.